Actitudes, creencias y conocimientos de los pediatras sobre salud medioambiental en Murcia

Objective: To study pediatrician attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about pediatric environmental health (PEH) in the region of Murcia, Spain. Method: Were mailed a self administered survey based on theoretical and practical knowledge about issues related to PEH of 293 paediatricians working in the Region of Murcia. Results: The overall response rate was 56%. About 70% of respondents worked in Primary Care and 5% belonged to a non-governmental organization (NGO). Pediatricians stated that the factors most affecting the health of children (maximum score 10) were: indoor air pollutants (7.78) injuries and accidents (6.64), and outdoor air pollution (5.13). 45% did not systematically record information about the environments in the clinical registry. The most frequently asked questions by parents were (maximum score 4) related to: injuries and accidents (2.16), ultraviolet radiation (2.06) and contamination of drinking water (2.05). Pediatricians considered respiratory diseases to be most strongly related to the environment. Conclusions: Pediatric associations and institutions should include an EH syllabus in the curriculum of pregraduate and graduate students as well as in the continuing education of paediatricians. This work would help needs assessment and planning the training in PEH.